Lunke Looking For Game

Defending Champion Struggling To Putt Well

SOUTH HADLEY, Mass. — Every important putt seemed to drop during Hilary Lunke's magical stroll to the U.S. Women's Open championship last year.

``It felt like the putter was a natural extension of my arm. It was just meant to be for me,'' Lunke said.

In the year since her triumph at Pumpkin Ridge Golf Club, she enjoyed the rewards of her reign. TV appearances, travel around the world and promotions filled many dates on her Palm Pilot.

``I had a great time doing it,'' she said Monday at The Orchards GC before a practice round for the U.S. Open, which starts Thursday. ``Our trips to Barcelona to play in a match-play event with my husband [caddie Tylar] and Japan were great. I took advantage of the opportunities. I figured to strike when the iron was hot.''

But this year her putter and game have gone as cold as a gust of January wind in her hometown of Edina, Minn.

She's tied for 96th in putts (1.85) on the LPGA Tour, is 110th on the money list ($25,430) and has made five of 11 cuts. She has missed the cut in her last two appearances, the LPGA Championship and the Wegmans Rochester tournament.

``I don't even remember what my best finish is,'' she said. ``I know it wasn't a top 10.''

Her best finish was a tie for 36th on May 2 in the Chick-Fil-A Charity Championship.

She was 16th on the money list last year with $654,660, including $560,000 from the U.S. Open. She was expecting a lot more from herself and her game this year.

At last year's Open, her 18-hole playoff victory over Kelly Robbins and Angela Stanford culminated an astounding story. Lunke was the first player to win the title after going through local and sectional qualifiers.

``Last year was only my second season as a pro and I made 13 of 26 cuts,'' she said. ``But I thought how I played in the Open would keep on going.''

Most of her signature smiles from last year's championship have vanished this year. She has worked with coach Todd Sones and Tylar on the range and putting green in an attempt to correct flaws before the 59th Women's Open.

Because Lunke is a short driver, ranking 147th in distance (236.6 yards), an accurate iron and short game are essential.

``At the start of the year my chipping and putting weren't good,'' she said. ``That has gotten better. I'm rolling it well now. I think I'm hitting the ball the same way as before the Open last year. I'm the same player, but I'm just not scoring. If I miss a green, it's like the ball's always in a tough spot and I can't get up and down for par; too many bogeys out there.''

Maybe a familiar cheering section will help Lunke. Her mother and father, Penny and Bill, walked the practice round Monday and will follow her every hole this week, just as they did last year at Pumpkin Ridge.

``Hopefully those memories of Pumpkin Ridge will kick in, and I hit more good shots and make a few more putts,'' she said. ``What better place for great things to happen than a U.S. Open?''

Wie Practices

After losing the U.S. Women's Amateur Public Links title to Ya-Ni Tseng on the 36th hole Sunday in Williamsburg, Va., Michelle Wie was out on The Orchards course at 9 a.m. Monday, practicing for the Open. Wie waved off reporters and said she'll talk today at a scheduled time.

``You can't dwell on last week,'' said her coach, Gary Gilchrist. ``You move on and focus to improve and play well.''

Wie, 14, is in the tournament by a USGA special exemption. It's the first time an amateur has been given a free pass to the U.S. Open.